TED Talks Daily A multigenerational musical journey | Yijia Tu
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Aug 13, 2025 Singer Yijia Tu takes listeners on a captivating journey from grand stages to intimate family lullabies. She blends East Asian folk traditions with modern sounds, showing that honoring cultural heritage keeps the fire of music alive. A heartfelt performance highlights how melodies connect generations and preserve memories, particularly against challenges like Alzheimer's. The talk also reflects on the importance of balancing traditional roots and contemporary creativity in expressing musical identity.
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From Pop Teen Star To Traditional Music
- Yijia Tu describes her early pop success playing guitar and piano before exploring traditional music.
- At 16 she became famous overnight and won major Chinese music awards while sounding westernized.
Tradition Vs Trend Isn't Only Chinese
- Tu realized that rejecting tradition is common when youth equate modernity with foreignness.
- She sees revitalizing tradition by creatively fusing it with modern forms as a solution.
Relearn And Reimagine Tradition
- Learn traditional instruments and folk music to reconnect with cultural roots.
- Be creative with tradition by blending it into new compositions rather than replicating the past.